A:
There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable
and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You
can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green
Guru's secret identity.

Wednesday - September 29, 2010

QUESTION:

Hamelia patens (Firebush) is listed as an invasive plant at Invasive.Org, the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, which partners with the US Forest Service, Univ of GA and others. LBJ website has listed it as Native. Please help clear this up for me and others.

I don't know the exact reasons that Hamelia patens and Iris missouriensis are considered invasive by the two listing agencies. Some plants are considered invasive because they interfere with agricultural crops; but I suspect for these two it is probably because they are growing and spreading prolifically to the detriment of other native plants in the areas.

The short answer to your question, however, is that, for whatever reason, a native plant can be listed as invasive or noxious along with non-native exotics.

More Wildflower Center Questions

Native plants for pots for wedding in NovemberOctober 03, 2006 - Will any of the plants that are in your big plant sale be flowering in November? I am looking for plants that would do well in pots because I'd like to use them as center pieces at a wedding (in Aus...view the full question and answer

When does Ziziphus obtusifolia leaf and flower in Austin?March 22, 2010 - Hello Mr. S.P.,
Do you know when the Texas buckthorn, Ziziphus obtusifolia (I believe), flowers (and leafs out) in Austin? Is there one at the Wildflower Center?
view the full question and answer

Does the Wildflower Center plant sale include plants or only seeds?September 24, 2009 - Does the list of plants for your Fall Plant Sale imply that they are availble to be transplanted or only as seed?
Thanks
view the full question and answer

Information on green roof demonstration site at Wildflower CenterMarch 10, 2006 - I visited your green roof demonstration site and am interested in putting a green roof on a structure. There seemed to be at least two layers of growing medium in the planters; one layer looked like r...view the full question and answer